Collaborative Research: Capitalizing on Opportunity: Narrowing the Gender Divide in Engineering and Computer Science through Professional Development

智力价值：这是老道明大学和诺福克州立大学之间为期三年的合作研究项目，旨在研究工程(ENG)和计算机科学(CS)学生职业认同发展中的性别问题。培养职业认同感有助于在STEM领域产生归属感，最终有助于留住本科生。该项目以社会认知职业理论(SCCT)为基础，研究了学生利用课堂外的自我发展机会发展职业认同的机制。本项目将SCCT这一成熟的理论框架应用于资本化这一新的研究领域。使用SCCT研究大写有助于理解STEM的性别差异，并有助于更广泛的社会心理学和大写文献。本研究采用定性的关键事件访谈、定量的纵向调查和准实验设计等多种研究方法来检验资本化培训的有效性。该提案包括若干基准和一名经验丰富的评估员，以监督项目的所有评估和统计方面。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究有助于人力资本的发展，因为它确定了干预机制，以努力增加科技、经济、技术和经济领域的性别平等。培训实验预计将产生以证据为基础的方法，以改进大写前置条件和大写；因此，有助于发展职业认同，从而为妇女创造公平的竞争环境。由于资本化是一种在劳动力中产生积极好处的自我发展技能，本科水平培养的技能也将有助于STEM专业人员的发展和留住。考察一所历史悠久的黑人大学和一所以白人为主的大学，可以在不同的背景下拓宽对大写的理解。扩展关于每种大学类型的支持和障碍的知识库，提供了获得一套通用的最佳实践的机会。具有广泛的适用性。研究成果将通过一个互动网站、国际、国家和区域会议和期刊出版物以及针对国家有关部门和专业协会的小册子和电子邮件运动来分享。

Intellectual Merit: This is a three-year collaborative research project between Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University examining gender issues in professional identity development among engineering (ENG) and computer science (CS) students. Developing professional identity can help engender a sense of belonging in the STEM field that ultimately contributes to undergraduate retention. Grounded in social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this project investigates the mechanisms by which professional identity is developed when students capitalize on self-development opportunities available outside of the classroom. This project applies SCCT, a well established theoretical framework, to capitalization, a new area of research. Investigating capitalization using SCCT contributes to understanding gender differences in STEM and to the broader social psychology and capitalization literatures. Multiple research methods are used, including qualitative critical incident interviews, quantitative longitudinal surveys, and quasi-experimental design to test utility of capitalization training. The proposal includes several benchmarks and an experienced evaluator to oversee all assessment and statistical aspects of the project. Broader Impacts: The proposed research contributes to the development of human capital by identifying mechanisms for intervention in the effort to increase gender equity in STEM. The training experiment is expected to yield evidenced-based methods for improving capitalization antecedents and capitalization; and, as a result, contribute to the development of professional identity, thereby leveling the playing field for women. Since capitalization is a self-development skill known to yield positive benefits in the workforce, skills developed at the undergraduate level will contribute to the development and retention of STEM professionals as well. Examining a Historically Black University and a Predominantly White University broadens the understanding of capitalization across contexts. Expanding the knowledge base regarding supports and barriers at each university type provides the opportunity to derive a common set of ?best practices? with wide applicability. Research findings will be shared via an interactive website; international, national and regional conferences and journal publications; and brochures and email campaigns targeted to relevant departments and professional societies nationally.